Snow test

On Sunday evening, weather took a twist with heavy snowfall and rains hitting most parts in Valley. Traffic got disrupted, there have been power failures at some places as transmission lines were cut off, and several essential services have also been hit. Also, city roads and streets are completely water logged, drainage and sanitation and other essential services have got badly affected. The administration and the concerned authorities need to take firsthand account of the problems faced by people and to ensure their redressal. The authorities are often caught unawares when a crisis emerges and as a result the response is not as effective as it should be. In the wake of snowfall, the administration usually remains preoccupied with road clearance, restoration of electricity and availability of essential commodities. There is also an urgent need of keeping eye on hoarders, black-marketers and unscrupulous elements who utilize the unfavorable situation for increasing the prices and creating false scarcity of essentials. Regular market checking is important in this regard. Special checking squads should be constituted so that the sub-standard and adulterated food items are checked. Absence of proper monitoring allows erring traders to go scot-free. The concerned officials also seem least bothered to at least conduct public information campaigns so that the traders do not take the consumers for granted. Government is meant to serve people at all times. However, the test of its competency can better be gauged during testing times. The administration needs to be in a mode of alertness around the year. It needs to strengthen the operational functionaries at all levels and enhance capacity building. In the wake of heavy snowfall, essential services like electric supplies, water supply and telecom/communication system break down. In that regard, Government and the concerned departments should review the preparedness every week and must ensure stock and supply position of essential commodities in the far flung and snow bound areas of the valley. The most robust and effective way of keeping such services functional through a natural hazard is to devise a comprehensive strategy that can withstand any eventuality during the winter season. Preparedness to control and contain disasters, natural or manmade, is an important pre-emptive step. A work force that is specially trained, and that is committed to play an important role in these situations is need of the hour.